Lazarus, the Beta Fish
Dailey's Weekly
“Mom! Guess what?!?” My nine-year-old daughter asked me.
We were eating our oatmeal. We’re the only two in the house who do breakfast, so we always do it together. Usually about 6:45 in the morning, before we leave for school.
“What?” I asked. My kiddo forever has a new story. And it’s usually on the dramatic side.
“Kimber’s fish is healed!” She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.
Okay. Let me fill you in here. Kimber is one of my daughter’s best friends from church. And for weeks I’ve been hearing them talk about Kimber’s Beta fish, Doctor Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins hasn’t been in a good place, health wise. He started losing his vibrant blue color. Then his tail turned all scraggly. And in the last week he’d become lethargic. Eventually stopped eating.
We all knew where this was headed.
Kimber’s mom informed me several times that the fish’s days were numbered. The last time Kimber came to our house, she and my daughter planned out their design for the fish’s coffin. I mean, this Beta’s pre-need package was planned in its entirety. (Also, I might add, their coffin design was morbidly creative and tasteful.)
“Okay. Her fish is ‘healed?’” I asked doubtfully.
“Yes!”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“His color is back! He’s dark blue again! And he has all this energy! He’s eating! He’s totally healed!”
I smirked to myself, in that knowing parental way that moms (and dads) sometimes smirk. Because I think we’ve all been guilty of sparing our children hurt. Even if that means we tell them they look beautiful in braces or we (ahem, guilty) attempt to visit the pet store and replace a dead pet before the kid knows what’s really happened.
*Helpful tip: Contrary to popular belief, all brown hamsters don’t look the same.
“Huh. I’ll be anxious to hear about this from Kimber’s parents.” I said, looking away and taking another bite.
And I guess my daughter could read my thoughts, cause kids are way smarter than we give them credit for.
She put her hands on the table and snapped at me. “Mom! He was healed! We’ve been praying for him for weeks! It’s the power of prayer!”
Oh Mom of little faith.
So I nodded my head, chastised, and apologized. Yes, of course God could heal Dr. Hawkins. It was wrong of me to doubt. And it was lovely of my nine-year-old to remind me of the power of the almighty. How easy it is for us grown-ups to forget.
Sunday morning, when I got to church, I made a beeline for Kimber’s mom and grandmother. They were standing in the foyer. I couldn’t wait to tell them the oatmeal story, how I’d been reminded of God’s omnipotent and benevolent power by my third grader… and, uh, I also had to ask about the fish. Because, obviously, my faith still wasn’t in the right place.
Kimber’s mom and grandmother both exclaimed at the same time. “It’s true! He’s healed!”
My mouth dropped. Then Kimber’s grandmother went on to explain, “Listen. We’ve had this fish in there on the prayer board in the kids’ classroom for months! They’ve all been praying!”
Kimber’s mom said, “Dr. Hawkins has so much energy now! He’s all over the place! Kimber Googled it. Apparently when a Beta fish has those symptoms, you just have to give them a pea.”
“A pea?” I asked, eyes still wide.
“Yep! We dropped a pea in his tank. He gobbled up the whole thing and instantly revived!”
I could only stare, seeing this whole situation for what it really was: God, at work. And me, being faithless. P.S. I also think God has a sense of humor.
Isn’t that the way it goes? Sometimes we pray and pray and pray for God to answer a prayer. And then, when He delivers, we are shocked... like we can’t believe He has that kind of actual power. I don’t know if you’ve experienced this, but I sure have. This week “Lazarus Beta Fish” taught me a few great lessons. Helpful reminders.
1. Don’t ever discount the faith of a child. Kids believe. With their whole hearts. And God tells us, when we pray, believing, we will receive. (Matthew 21:22)
2. If God cares about Kimber’s fish, how much more do you think He cares when we ask Him about the things that grieve our hearts, when we beg Him for help? He’s always ready, if we will just utilize the prayer tool He’s given us. (Matthew 7:7)
3. When we teach our kids to pray, we equip them for the struggles of life. And isn’t that even more important than the grades they make in school, or their career choices? I pray my kids are healthy spiritually, above all else. The rest will fall into place.
This week, don’t forget to talk to God about the big things and the small things. Let’s rejoice in the blessings He’s given us. And let’s ask Him today how He might set our hearts like those of our trusting, faith-filled children.
Long live Dr. Hawkins.
Verse of the Week:
“Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’” John 11:39-44
Quote of the Week:
“Stop worrying how it’s going to happen and start believing it will.” -Alf Dunbar
Welp, you made me cry again! 😂 Beautiful story, and so very true. I've prayed over missing cats, and sick dogs. God hears our prayers, he created all of the animals, so I believe he cares for them. Child like faith... May we all have more faith, and pray with confidence like they do! Side note; my Betta died last summer, same symptoms. Had I just known to give it a pea and a prayer, it might still be here!